How to Clean Woven Plastic Slingback Chairs

Vinegar removes mildew from outdoor chair seats.

Woven plastic serves as durable seat material for outdoor slingback chairs, ready to withstand the elements day after day, month after month. Over time, dirt and grime build up simply from being outdoors. Wind, rain and pollution all come into play, creating a buildup that may not be noticed until you see how clean and bright the underside of the chair sling looks compared to the top. Using the wrong types of cleaners may stain or damage that chair seat. A gentle household cleaner is all that's needed much of the time.

General Maintenance

To keep that slingback chair looking its best, give it a thorough dusting and a rinse every couple weeks if it's kept outdoors exposed to the elements. Brush it off with a feather duster to remove loose dirt, then spray it with a hose to remove additional debris. This simple treatment helps keep the dust from becoming baked onto the plastic, which would require a bit of scrubbing to remove. Keeping the chair under a cover when not in use helps keep it clean as well.

Simple Cleaning Solution

A few squirts of dishwashing soap in a gallon bucket of warm water makes a mild cleaning solution strong enough to remove general dirt but gentle enough that it won't stain or discolor the seat material. It can also be used on the chair frame. Wipe down the seat down a sponge dipped into the solution, using a sponge with a scrub pad on one side for hard-to-clean areas. If it's been a while since the chair has been cleaned, put some of the solution in a spray bottle and liberally spray the seat material, allowing it to soak for a few minutes before scrubbing. Use a soft scrub brush or toothbrush if the seat needs a deep cleaning. Rinse off the seat with a hose, wiping with a sponge, if necessary, to help loosen soap or dirt stuck in the mesh-like fabric.

Gunk Grabber

If the chair has a few mystery spots that don't wipe away easily, pour a little rubbing alcohol onto a soft cloth, then wipe the spot away. If the spot is still difficult to remove, soak a corner of the cloth in rubbing alcohol, then set the soaked part atop the stain for several minutes before buffing the substance away. A household cleaner suitable for plastic can be used in a pinch; just be sure it doesn't contain bleach, as bleach may fade the chair sling or damage it.

Mildew Maintenance

A chair stored in a damp environment with little air flow is prone to mold or mildew, which has a musty smell and small spots that look like dirt. Spray the spots with white vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe down the entire surface with a soft, damp cloth or sponge. If the spots are stubborn, saturate the cloth with vinegar and wipe down the seat again, rinsing it with a garden hose afterwards. A soft scrub brush or toothbrush helps rub away the toughest spots.

About the Author

Kathy Adams won several investigative journalism awards from the Associated Press. Adams has ghostwritten several books and content for A-list musicians' websites. She is equally at home repurposing furniture and found objects into art as she is managing bands and community gardening efforts, running non-profit organizations and writing about healthy alternatives to household chemicals.